Dr Cheryl K Olson has co-authored a book that points flaws in current violent video game myths.  The myths she aimed at destroying were the myths that video games, especially violent games, made kids more violent.  The media under increasing pressure from parents and lobbyists are alawys quick to slather all over the news about any new studies that may show at even the slightest bit that video games will make you a violent criminal.

Her book takes a look at the research studies done to show claims that video games increase violence.  Many of the studies she pointed to included studies where one group of students played non-violent games that were selected for them, and the other group played violent games that were selected for 15 minutes a day.

The main problem with the research was that all of the research studies were created with the idea that violent games made you violent.  There is too much bias in studies to take them seriously.  Researchers can make more money and receive more grants for any studies that prove violence than those that deny the claim.  Until serious reseachers decide to conduct academic studies without any of their own bias, you should be quick to take every study you see in the news as fact.  Gamers will no doubt take the book and its findings to be knowledge that they already knew. 

Information by Slashdot.com